Thai FM: No concern over Chinese airbase in Laos

Thailand has no immediate concerns over a Chinese airbase in Laos located about 50 kilometres from the Thai border, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on 14 October.

Speaking at Government House, the foreign minister said the airbase was part of a cooperation project between China and Laos. He added that the issue had not been raised during his recent visit to Laos, as it was considered an internal matter.

Asked whether the airbase could affect Thailand’s national security because of its proximity to the border, Sihasak said the facility might not be what people assumed.

Thailand would continue to monitor the situation, he said, adding that Laos would likely inform Thailand if it considered the project to have implications for regional security.